Rockies become first to team to trail in opening 29 games, waste 5-run lead in 7-6 loss to Marlins
Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez picks up Bryan De La Cruz after De La Cruz collided with Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Díaz to score the winning run during the 10 inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Miami. The Marlins defeated the Rockies 7-6. Credit: AP/Marta Lavandier
MIAMI — Dane Myers hit a game-winning single in the 10th inning as the Miami Marlins overcame a five-run deficit and beat Colorado 7-6 on Tuesday night, making the Rockies the first team since 1900 to trail in each of its first 29 games.
Miami (7-24) bounced back from a 5-0 first-inning deficit by scoring five times in the ninth, then rallied from down 6-5 in the 10th and ended a seven-game losing streak.
“For anybody that says that they don’t care, they don’t fight, they don’t work, that kind of proves everyone wrong,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “The results are the results. I get it. But it’s not for a lack of want or a lack of caring. Those guys really care. They want to win and they’re prepared to win every day.”
The Rockies (7-22) had lost Sunday and joined the 1910 St. Louis Browns as the only teams to trail in each of their first 28 games.
Colorado never was behind until after the final pitch.
Backed by a 5-0 first-inning lead, Ryan Feltner entered the ninth trying for his first professional complete game but allowed Vidal Bruján’s leadoff single, hit Christian Bethancourt with a pitch, then gave up Luis Arraez’s RBI double.
Justin Lawrence relieved and walked Bryan De La Cruz, gave up Myers’ two-run single, forced in a run when he hit Jesús Sánchez with a pitch with the bases loaded and allowed Emmanuel Rivera’s sacrifice fly.
Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez lifts Bryan De La Cruz, after De La Cruz scored the winning run during the 10 inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Miami. The Marlins defeated the Rockies 7-6. Credit: AP/Marta Lavandier
“It’ll take me a while to think about my performance,” Feltner said. “Right now, I just feel like I let the team down. I got to finish that ninth inning out. Never been in a position like that before, and I’m hungry to get back there to the ninth and finish out next time.”
Ryan McMahon’s RBI double against Tanner Scott (1-4) put the Rockies ahead 6-5 in the 10th, but De La Cruz had a run-scoring double off Jalen Beeks (2-2) in the bottom half and scored when Myers’ grounded an opposite-field single to right. Hunter Goodman made a one-hop throw to the plate but the ball bounced out of Elias Díaz’s mitt as De La Cruz slid into the catcher.
“I was just looking for something over the plate,” Myers said.
Myers got his his first big league walk-off hit. He entered in the eighth after Jazz Chisholm Jr. was ejected by plate umpire Jansen Visconti for arguing a called third strike.
Miami Marlins players rush the field to congratulate Dane Myers after his single drove the winning run during the 10 inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Miami. The Marlins defeated the Rockies 7-6. Credit: AP/Marta Lavandier
“He was the first one to thank me,” Myers said of Chisholm. “He’s a good clubhouse guy and teammate. It feels good to pick up a guy like Jazz and I’m glad I was able to do that.”
Jordan Beck, a 23-year-old Rockies outfield prospect, went 2 for 4 in his major league debut. He singled in his first big league at-bat.
Miami won a series opener for the first time this season.
Elehuris Montero hit a three-run homer in the first against Sixto Sánchez after McMahon and Charlie Blackmon had RBI singles.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rockies: OF Nolan Jones (low back strain) was placed on the 10-day IL. ... LHP Lucas Gilbreath (left shoulder soreness) was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Marlins: INF Jake Burger (left intercostal muscle strain) and LHP Braxton Garrett (left shoulder impingement) will play with Triple-A Jacksonville on rehab assignments Wednesday.
UP NEXT
RHP Dakota Hudson (0-4, 6.57) will start the second game of the series for the Rockies on Wednesday. RHP Roddery Muñoz (0-0, 3.60) is scheduled to start for the Marlins.